Key points:
- Pre-season maintenance minimizes your risk for emergency repairs and fire monitoring.
- Every business should have a quarterly maintenance checklist to take a proactive approach to fire safety, maintenance, and repairs.
- Burts pipes, double-blind outdoor patios, and electrical overload are some of the top fire watch triggers in Colorado.
As the weather cools down, it’s time to consider how to minimize fall and winter maintenance and repairs. Taking a proactive approach increases safety and saves time, money, and stress. It often minimizes the need for dispatching emergency repairs and fall and winter fire watch. The factors below are the most common seasonal triggers. Add the corresponding maintenance and repairs to your quarterly checklist to minimize your risk.
Emergency repairs arise, but most cold-weather repair needs can be drastically minimized with proactive maintenance. What your quarterly checklists look like is unique to your business. Don’t forget to consider new technologies, devices, and equipment when updating your checklists annually.
Top 3 Fall and Winter Repairs That Trigger Fire Watch in Colorado
1. Burst Water Lines
Burst pipes and water line disruptions trigger immediate fire monitoring. In addition to low overnight temperatures, temperatures fluctuate rapidly in Colorado. Contract a plumber and HVAC specialist to inspect your lines and riser room. To maintain NFPA 25 compliance, riser room temperatures must not drop below 40°F. You may also want to insulate your property and water lines. If you have an outdoor patio with wet sprinklers, don’t forget to purge the water lines.
Also, consider investing in a commercial-grade backup heater for your riser room, and monitor daily or weekly for:
- Temperature
- Leaks
- Air pressure
- Drain condensation
2. Double-Blind Winter Patio Enclosures
In an effort to keep your outdoor patio operational as long as possible, you may install vinyl walls, cloth curtains, or a temporary enclosure. You must ensure these enclosures are in compliance with fire code.
If your enclosure muffles your alarm, blocks alarm strobe, blocks sprinkler or detectors, or creates a blind spot that makes fire difficult to detect—you’ll likely be fined and required to rectify these fire code violations. Fall and winter fire watch must be dispatched while you conduct repairs.
3. Electrical Grid Overload
As you continually upgrade and add new technology and equipment to your business, it increases the risk of overloading your electrical panel.
This increases your risk for:
- Tripped breakers
- Electrical shorts
- Electrical fires
- Fire panel failure
- Fire panel nuisance alarms
The strains above trigger firewatch. They can also be costly to repair. You can minimize these risks by contracting an electrician to advise on how to manage your initial and ongoing electrical load.
Fall and Winter Fire Watch in Denver
Scout Security is available 24/7, providing compliant fire monitoring and patrols. Our trained and certified personnel can work solo or with you and your team.
Book now or add us to your emergency contact list!
